Microsoft CEO Ballmer promises ‘amazing wave of innovation’ in 2006

“As Intel plots its rebound, longtime partner Microsoft also hopes to get its groove back by unleashing what Chief Executive Steve Ballmer calls ‘an amazing wave of innovation,’ rolling out at least a dozen new products this year, including updates to Windows and Office, plus programs that run on smart phones and the Web. But the new apps boast so many tiny buttons and mind-boggling connections among myriad programs that eyes were glazing over at a New York event where Microsoft gave a sneak peek to 500 tech buyers. Forbes caught up with Ballmer right after the event,” Daniel Lyons writes for Forbes.

Forbes: Apple Computer now sells Intel-based computers with simple user interfaces. You’re going the opposite way with these complex programs. Do you think a regular person will be able to operate them?
Ballmer: The answer is yes. Can everybody do everything? No. But if you have one or two users who can do everything their work enhances the productivity of everybody.

Forbes: You took some shots at IBM. Why the smack talk?
Ballmer: Smack talk? I don’t encourage smack talk anymore.

Full article here.

MacDailyNews Take: A fish rots from the bald head down.

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Related articles:
Imitating Apple Computer is no match for innovation – January 17, 2006
Intel CEO Ottellini: Apple will bring us innovation, uniqueness, leading design – December 29, 2005
Apple’s talent and innovation vs. Microsoft’s hype – October 25, 2005
PC World: Microsoft innovation – an oxymoron – September 14, 2005
Charles Arthur: Microsoft’s definition of ‘innovation’ different from everyone else’s – April 27, 2004

Microsoft reorganizes moribund Windows unit – March 23, 2006
Microsoft’s inability to ship Windows Vista leaves door open for Apple – March 23, 2006
Tech writer: Forget booting Windows on Macs, now is the time for Apple Mac to take back share – March 23, 2006
Microsoft Vista fumble could lead to score for Apple Mac; Mac OS X Leopard may beat Vista to market – March 23, 2006
Analysts: Apple could benefit from Microsoft’s latest Vista slip – March 22, 2006
Forbes: Microsoft’s Vista slips again – Steve Jobs must be waking up a happy man this morning – March 22, 2006
What’s the difference between Mac OS X and Vista? Microsoft employees are excited about Mac OS X – March 22, 2006
Vista delay causes Windows-dependents slump in pre-market trading; Apple rises – March 22, 2006
Enderle on MS Vista slip: ‘I personally can not recall Apple ever getting an opportunity like this’ – March 21, 2006
Microsoft delays Windows Vista again – this time until January 2007 – March 21, 2006
Microsoft’s Ballmer: It’s true, some of Windows Vista’s features are ‘kissing cousins’ to Mac OS X – September 18, 2005
Microsoft CEO Ballmer: Apple’s moved to Intel? Ho hum – June 07, 2005
Microsoft CEO Ballmer on the digital home: ‘There is no way that you can get there with Apple’ – October 03, 2004

78 Comments

  1. “Can everybody do everything? No. But if you have one or two users who can do everything their work enhances the productivity of everybody.”

    I can’t believe that this is his philosophy So really Microsoft only needs one or two people to do everything? I always thought that everyone should be able to be productive and that is why a Mac is better people actually get work done. – Of course it is too bad that these 1 or 2 people he speaks of aren’t in the IT dept.

  2. He is a total loser – read this answer:

    What is up with those goofy dinosaur ads you guys run? Do you like them?

    What we’re trying to say is the new stuff is better than the old stuff. And these dinosaur ads, they do the job. I told our ad people, I’m going to start suspending my personal bias about what looks good and looks bad, as long as they can show me research data that supports this stuff.

    HE IS RUNNING MICROSOFT!

  3. So basically Microsoft are happy if 2 or 3 people can use their stuff but to everyone else it’s a big FU. Assuming that these 2 or 3 people designed the thing that basically means that no-one will be able to use their products.

  4. VISTA will be delayed until OS X 10.5 appears.

    It strange. I read elsewhere that someone thought that the WDC was postponed because Apple was behind schedule on its development. I think it was postponed to keep ideas from Apple appearing in Vista. I think that OS X 10.5 will be launched at the WDC. Not only that, I think they will make OS X 10.5 available to licence for other hardware makers. And it will run Windows Apps natively.

    MW ‘while’ Gates fiddled will Rome (Windows) burned.

  5. I love stuff and buttons and what not. I’m excited to see what is going to be released. Don’t get me wrong, I own an Apple computer and an Ipod and have just about every gadget apple makes that I can get my hands on (except a HiFi, but that can wait). For gadget lovers like me these new products should be fun, Even if they do come from Microsoft. As long as MS knows that nothing they release is ever going to be a hit again, I have no problem getting every new toy I can to play with.

    For example… Ultra Mobile PCs are cool. THey are really quite pointless though, since they are too big to be taken anywhere that a laptop couldn’t be taken, but small enough to be slow and have a crappy resolution. I still want one though.

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